Fivepenny Piece
| Company type | Folk ensemble |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1967 in Ashton-under-Lyne and Stalybridge, Tameside, England |
| Headquarters | Ashton-under-Lyne and Stalybridge , England |
Area served | United Kingdom |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
| Website | fivepennypiece |
Fivepenny Piece was a folk ensemble consisting of five members, established in 1967 in the vicinity of Ashton-under-Lyne and Stalybridge, within Tameside, England. Originally, they performed under the name The Wednesday Folk at the Broadoak Hotel in Ashton.
Career
Their significant breakthrough occurred after winning the 1968 talent competition New Faces broadcast by Granada Television. This victory led to a contract with the Noel Gay agency and a recording agreement with EMI, which also prompted their rebranding to Fivepenny Piece.
The majority of their repertoire was self-composed, deeply rooted in Lancashire culture, incorporating regional dialect and themes such as mining, textile weaving, mills, factories, and local personalities. Their musical approach combined elements of traditional folk with contemporary pop influences.
The founding lineup included John Meeks (guitar, vocals), Lynda Jane Meeks (vocals), George Radcliffe (bass, vocals), Colin Radcliffe (guitar, vocals), and Eddie Crotty (guitar, vocals). Most of their notable compositions were penned by John Meeks and Colin Radcliffe, with Eddie Crotty also contributing. Drummer Phil Barlow frequently supported them during live performances and studio recordings.
During their peak in the 1970s, Fivepenny Piece released more than twelve albums through EMI and Philips labels. Their album King Cotton reached the UK Top 10 Albums chart. The band regularly appeared on national television and hosted their own BBC program titled The Fivepenny Piece Show.
In the early 1980s, lineup changes ensued with John Meeks leaving first, followed by Lynda Meeks. Trevor Chance and Andrea Mullins joined subsequently before the group ultimately dissolved in 1985.
They reunited in the mid-1990s for occasional performances, welcoming new members such as folk artist and comedian Bernard Wrigley alongside guitarist Paul Johnston. Original members Eddie Crotty and George Radcliffe participated until their final concert around 2004.
George Radcliffe managed the 'Star Inn' pub located in Ashton-under-Lyne during the early 1980s and passed away in 2002. Eddie Crotty died in 2009 after a lengthy illness; Lynda Meeks passed away in 2013. Colin Radcliffe died in 2025, leaving John Meeks as the only surviving original member.
Throughout the 1970s, the band had a weekly feature on the BBC series That's Life!, hosted by Esther Rantzen.
Albums
- The Fivepenny Piece (1972) Columbia
- Songs We Like To Sing (1973) Columbia
- Making Tracks (1973) Columbia – UK No. 37
- The Fivepenny Piece ... On Stage (1974) One-Up
- Wish You Were Here (1975) EMI
- King Cotton (1976) EMI UK No. 9
- Telling Tales (1977) EMI
- On Stage Again (1977) One-Up
- Both Sides of Fivepenny Piece (1978) EMI
- Peddlers of Songs (1979) Columbia SCX 6607
- Life Is A Game Of Chance (1979) Philips 9109 234
- An Evening With The Fivepenny Piece (1980) Philips 6382 154
- Lancashire, My Lancashire (1980) EMI compilation
- Here We Are Again (1982) BDA Records BDLP 001
- 57 Fivepenny Favourites (1996) Sound Waves SOW 525
- Better Than Ever (date unknown) self-issued FP2501
Singles
- Running Free / Land of Half Past Nine (1969) Columbia
- Hang the Flag Out Mrs. Jones / Little Boy Little Girl (1969) Columbia
- There's A Great Deal of Difference / Ee By Gum (1972) Columbia
- A Gradely Prayer / Reflections of Emily (1972) Columbia
- The People Tree / Homemade Brew (1973) Columbia
- Gotta Get Away / I'm Powfagged (1973) Columbia
- Save Your Last Kiss for Me / Butterflies and Songbirds (1974) EMI
- Big Jim / Ee By Gum (1975) EMI
- Watercolour Morning / Old England (1976) EMI
- I'll Still Be in Love With You / Flamingo (1978) Columbia
- It's a Long Way / In a World of Three Foot Nothing (1982) Mike Records
- The Christmas Story / Christmas Spirit (1982) Mike Records
Songbooks
- Fivepenny Piece – Volume 1
- Fivepenny Piece – Volume 2